Two Minnesota big men find new schools

It's getting to be college basketball preview time and you'll remember that Colton Iverson, who used to be part of the Gophers time-share at center with Ralph Sampson III, left the U and is now eligible at Colorado State.

In this preview of the Mountain West Conference, Colorado State is seen as a sleeper pick to win the title. Experience is part of the team's strength and some of that comes from "Minnesota transfer Colton Iverson. The 6-10 big man gives Colorado State a different dimension and should be an immediate contributor."

Meanwhile, the website TheHoopsReport.com ranks Colorado State as No. 51 in the country and points out that the "Rams return four starters from an NCAA Tourney team and add much needed size with Minnesota transfer Colton Iverson. The entire starting lineup will be comprised of seniors. That is great news for a first year coach (Larry Eustachy) looking to take a team to their second straight NCAA Tournament appearance."

Meanwhile, former Hopkins High star Anthony Diloreto is showing that there's always going to be another opportunity if you're 7-foot-1. You may remember that Diloreto was arrested and reached a plea agreement in a 2008 bank robbery in western Wisconsin, which cost him a basketball scholarship to Cal Poly. He then went to Utah State, where he was kicked off the team in 2010, several months after he was suspended for possession of marijuana.

He played the 2010-11 season at a junior college in Idaho and now -- depending on how you count -- is getting a chance at school No. 3 or 4.

Diloreto is on the roster at Crown College in St. Bonifacius, where he'll attempt to help an Upper Midwest Athletic Conference team that finished 7-18 last season.

Crown coach Luke Herbert said that Diloreto enrolled last year at the school, which has about 620 undergraduates, without being recruited and "he's doing great academically."

Diloreto's new teammates are aware of his past and have been supportive. "Being at a small school has provided a really good structure for him," Herbert said. "I think it's a good fit."

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